“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27 NASB95)
It happens to all of us. We face weakness in life. Sometimes it is bodily weakness that plagues us. Illness, chronic pain, problems that come with advanced age—all of these physical problems can be a tremendous challenge that can leave us feeling weak. Sometimes we struggle with spiritual weakness. Discouragement, fear, worry, temptation, and things like these can get a foothold in our heart and weigh heavily on us. And of course, when we face these things, as Christians, we turn to God in prayer. But have you ever faced a challenge so heavy that you don’t even know what to say to God or what to ask of Him?
In those moments it is a great comfort to know that the Holy Spirit is there to help. This is one of the reasons why the Holy Spirit dwells within us—to help us when we are weak. This passage tells us that even when we do not know how to pray as we should, the Spirit Himself intercedes for us. The Spirit goes to God on our behalf with groanings that are too deep for words. Even when we do not know how to pray, still there is a communication coming up from us to God through the Spirit. As our Father looks into our hearts, He knows the mind of His Spirit who dwells there. And since there is perfect oneness between God the Father and God the Spirit, the Father knows exactly what we need even when we don’t know how to ask.
In all of this we see a very important reason for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. The Spirit of God dwells within us to make this inexpressible communication to God possible. Though some teach that the Holy Spirit is the word of God, or that He works through the word only, here we see a work of the Spirit that is not through the word, but through a profound communication from our heart to God’s.
We should take great encouragement from this passage. The Holy Spirit helps our weakness. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and because of this our loving Father knows exactly what we need, even when we do not.
—Scott Colvin
Posted by Scott Colvin 
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